LOCAL LAPS

A year ago, Jimmie Johnson had doubts about becoming only the second driver to win three straight NASCAR Sprint Cup championship.

Now that he has equaled Cale Yarborough's record, the El Cajon native leaves no doubts about his goals for 2009.

“I want to win four straight titles,” Johnson said over NASCAR's short offseason. “I want the record. Isn't that why we're all here, to win?”

Johnson certainly has the skills, the backing and the tools to four-peat.

But will his luck hold?

Johnson has been on an amazing run for three seasons. He failed to finish just nine of his 108 starts and finished in the top 10 in two-thirds of his points races.

His Chad Knaus-led crew is adept at keeping his Chevy running and Johnson has adroitly dodged most major accidents.

However, twice in the three seasons before his streak began, Johnson finished second in the final standings and lost the title through an unfortunate incident.

“The best team doesn't always win,” said Johnson – before his streak began.

And there are other really good teams in NASCAR, although there will likely be fewer cars this year given the state of the economy.

The top threats to Johnson's streak are likely the Roush Fords driven by Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle and the Toyota piloted by Kyle Busch.

Here is a preview of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season going into Sunday's season-opening Daytona 500:

Twelve in the Chase

Jimmie Johnson (Chevrolet): At 33, he should just be rolling into his prime as a driver. Seven wins last year gives him 40 on his career, placing him 15th on the all-time list. Where would four titles rank Johnson? In the history of NASCAR, only three drivers – Richard Petty (7), Dale Earnhardt (7) and Jeff Gordon (4) – have more than three championships.

Greg Biffle (Ford): He might have won the championship last year had not he been taken out by teammate Carl Edwards at Talladega. Won two races last year and finished third on points.

Carl Edwards (Ford): Finished second in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series final standings last year after winning the Nationwide title in 2007. He won three of the final four races and a tour-leading nine overall in 2008. But he also made costly mistakes that cost him the title last season.

Kyle Busch (Toyota): The Chase for the Championship turned his dream season into a nightmare. In his first season with Joe Gibbs, Busch had 21 wins (eight in Sprint Cup, 10 in Nationwide and three in trucks), but he fell apart in the Chase and finished 10th.

Kevin Harvick (Chevy): Hasn't won a race since the Daytona 500 of 2007. But equaled his best points effort with a fourth in 2008. Could be first champion for Richard Childress since Dale Earnhardt.